Flower Tours - Namaqualand - Land of Wild Flowers

The Northern Cape's Namaqualand region is unique in every way. During the springtime this gentle desert erupts into a myriad of wildflowers in dazzling array. It is said of this spectacle "you weep twice when visiting Namaqualand - first when you arrive, and once when you leave…."

Namaqualand, in South Africa's far north-western corner, is much-loved by botanists and visitors as one of the world's most special places and the most unusual desert on earth.

Conservation International has recognised this desert as the earth's only arid hotspot of biodiversity, placing it among the 25 most ecologically valuable places in the world.

This dry land is home to almost 3 000 plants, most of them found nowhere else on the planet.

When spring comes to the Namaqualand, the dry land is covered by wild sweeps of orange, pink, white and yellow flowers. It is a time of frenzied reproduction, when plants generously show off their wares to prospective pollinators, yet the spectacular display lasts for only two months, at most, often less.

The spectacular sweeps of colour over the landscape are spectacular are also Nature's highlighters, indicating old fields or where ground has been overgrazed or ploughed up. In fact, the fields of orange and yellow that are so sought after at Skilpad Nature Reserve, now part of the promising Namaqua National Park, are kept flowering by careful dint of disturbance and ploughing after spring.

There are about 1 000 species of succulents, and they are among Namaqualand's most charismatic plants. They make up at least one third of the desert's flora, and one tenth of the world's succulents. Some are minute, the smallest in the world. The Mesembryanthemaceae (mesembs, or vygies) are the foremost family among these succulents.

Fynbos & Namaqualand Daisies Tour

• In Cape Town, visit the Peninsular for endemic plant species and world-famous Kirstenbosch Gardens for plants from all over the world.
• For Coastal vegetation, enjoy a trip along the West Coast and Langebaan.
• See the Namaqualand, Kamieskroon and surrounds for a spectacular carpets of daises.
• Get to Nieuwoudville - Houton and Cedarberg for spring blossoms and flowers.

Flower Tours are generally tailor made around your individual interests and requirements. Please feel free to give us a call and we will gladly put together a flower tour catered around you.